By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Environmental concerns, dating back to Hurricane Irene, have kept Borough Hall closed for more than six months.
”We are here to make good decisions, rational decisions,” Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson told the Herald on Monday. “I will not make a decision until we have all the information . . . that is the way I operate.”
The mayor is waiting to see if the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the borough’s insurance company will cover the town’s costs associated with the environmental remediation of Borough Hall.
There are several estimates regarding Borough Hall, as previously reported in the Herald. One of those estimates includes razing the existing building, raising it up approximately 3 feet, then building a new facility, which comes with a price tag of more than $3 million.
”That building being closed has had no effect on one person,” Mayor Kirson said. “We have been providing every service to the public.”
Hurricane Irene hit Hightstown the night of Aug. 27, 2011. Borough Hall was inundated by floodwaters from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon Aug. 28.
”The building was initially mitigated by removing drywall and flooring in most areas,” Borough Administrator Michael Theokas told the Herald on March 8. “That was the reason for the initial closure.”
However, he continued, “Because of the flood damage, severe environmental concerns arose due to the mold. We had air quality tests done in the days immediately after the flooding, and it was determined that a significant amount of remediation was necessary in order to make the building habitable again. That came at a large cost.”
Since then, Mr. Theokas said, “The mold and air quality has obviously gotten worse.”
”No one is overseeing it currently,” Mayor Kirson said of Borough Hall.
Director of Communications Donna Leusner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services told the Herald, “The department was not involved so we have no knowledge of the issues.”
The borough hired a private company to complete the environmental readings of Borough Hall after Hurricane Irene, Mayor Kirson said. The company was Quality Air Specialists, of Somerdale.
Hightstown homes and downtown businesses, including the Tavern on the Lake, the former coffeehouse Molto Bene Caffe e Mercato Italiano and even the bank, flooded during Hurricane Irene last summer.
After the storm, the Borough Council passed two emergency appropriations equaling $1.6 million to cover expenses associated with the storm, including labor.
As of March, Hightstown has spent $1.3 million in Hurricane Irene expenses, as previously reported in the Herald.
Mayor Kirson emphasized Monday that more information was needed before action would be taken.
Still, Borough Hall has been a topic of conversation at recent council meetings.
”Inaction is its own decision,” said Councilwoman Gail Doran in reference to Borough Hall during her closing statements March 5.
”I think we do have to start talking,” she added, regarding possible options for the building.
Council President Lawrence Quattrone said, “This is the first time we are working with FEMA.”
The council president also stated Mr. Theokas “is doing an excellent job.”
Mayor Kirson told the Herald the borough had processed 13 FEMA project worksheets for damages and labor resulting from Hurricane Irene.
The first FEMA aid transferred to the borough for Hurricane Irene damages arrived Feb. 14 for approximately $40,000.
The first insurance check, for more than $226,000, arrived a few months ago and covered water treatment plant expenses relating to the storm.
”This is a public entity, and we are dealing with public funds,” Mr. Theokas said March 5 while addressing the council. “We have to wait and see and gather all the information, in my opinion.”
Council President Quattrone concurred, “We have to wait for FEMA.”
Borough Hall housed several departments, including police. At the March 5 meeting, Police Director James Le Tellier said flood damages from Hurricane Irene wiped out all of the computers of the Police Department.
It was unknown as of press time what computer equipment had been replaced for the Hightstown police and at what cost as Mr. Le Tellier did not immediately respond to the Herald’s request for comment as of press deadline.
In other news, the council approved the first reading of a new taxi ordinance March 5. Under the new ordinance, taxi owners would be limited to operate no more than four taxicab vehicles within the borough. “Cruising,” described within the ordinance as “the driving of an empty taxicab along a public street at a slow rate of speed for the obvious purpose of soliciting passengers,” would be prohibited.
Mayor Kirson addressed the taxi ordinance at the last council meeting, noting, “How seriously the governing body takes these things . . . I really am proud to be up here working with these folks.”
The mayor stated, “We work in a very difficult environment. We are in New Jersey . . . We have a tremendous mountain to climb every day here.”
Additionally at the meeting, four new members were voted into the Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1. New member John Kamer Jr. was present and stood up for a round of applause. Sean Kelty, Michael Stone and Cynthia McClenahan also gained membership.
”We congratulate all four individuals,” Mayor Kirson said.

